ASIA-PACIFIC STAFF

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NEW DELHI — With the Indian government and AgustaWestland on the threshold of what could be lengthy litigation over the cancellation of a deal for 12 AW101 VVIP helicopters, the Indian air force (IAF) has decided to fast-track a back-up, with time running out for its shaky fleet of Soviet-era Mi-8 executive transport rotorcraft.

An unprecedented competition announced by the Indian government to energize local private industry in aerospace manufacturing stands on a razor's edge, with the country's defense ministry contemplating opening participation to India's monopolistic state-owned defense companies as well.

India's Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) may finally have been cleared for entry into squadron service, but the coming year brings a critical round of testing for the Mk. 1 fighter. It must meet a final deadline of December 2014 to be fully operational.

The tests are crucial to how the Indian air force (IAF) will deploy the jet, built chiefly to replace large numbers of MiG-21 interceptors still in service with frontline squadrons.

NEW DELHI — India’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) may have finally been cleared for entry into squadron service, but the coming year ushers in a critical round of testing for the Mk. 1 fighters to meet a final deadline of December 2014 to be fully operational.

The tests are crucial to how the Indian air force (IAF) will deploy the jet, built chiefly to replace large numbers of MiG-21 interceptors still in service with frontline squadrons.

NEW DELHI - India’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) may have finally been cleared for entry into squadron service, but the coming year ushers in a critical round of testing for the Mk. 1 fighters to meet a final deadline of December 2014 to be fully operational. (Photo: Indian defense ministry)

NEW DELHI - An unprecedented competition announced by the Indian government to energize local private industry in aerospace manufacturing stands on a razor’s edge, with the country’s defense ministry contemplating opening participation to India’s monopolistic state-owned defense companies as well. (Photo: IAF)

A raft of large U.S.-India military deals worth billions of dollars are nearing completion and likely to be culminated in the next few weeks.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is preparing to arrive in Washington on an official visit starting Sept. 27, on the heels of a visit to India by U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter. And negotiations on pending acquisitions are in full swing. Top Indian defense ministry sources indicate one or more contracts could be finalized during Singh’s visit.

NEW DELHI — After a season of unusually acrimonious exchanges with India’s state-owned airframer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) over delayed or redundant programs, the Indian air force (IAF) has for the first time sought permission from the government to directly support the creation of aerospace capacity in private industry, ostensibly as an alternative to HAL.

NEW DELHI - The Indian air force has for the first time sought permission from the government to directly support the creation of aerospace capacity in private industry, ostensibly as an alternative to state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (Tejas photo: Indian defense ministry)

NEW DELHI — In a blow to India’s state-owned airframe manufacturer, the Indian air force (IAF) is expected to exercise options with Swiss firm Pilatus for 38 PC-7 Mk-II basic turboprop trainers in a deal worth about $275 million.

The agreement adds to the 75 Pilatus aircraft the IAF ordered in May 2012 for $520 million and follows a combination of developments, chiefly the failure of state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) to meet timelines and projected costs for its own concept trainer.

NEW DELHI — Eyeing a potential $2 billion domestic market, India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), which recently carved out a separate unmanned air systems (UAS) division as part of a comprehensive diversification drive, wants to ready platforms quickly to meet a raft of current and expected requirements from the armed forces, police and paramilitary.

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